Northborough: Plans for trucking depot on hold

Wednesday

Jan 29, 2014 at 4:00 AM

By Brad PetrishenDaily News Staff

NORTHBOROUGH – Two separate projects that have stoked the ire of two groups of neighbors may not go forward as proposed, town officials told the Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday.Town Planner Kathy Joubert said the owner of 51 Southwest Cutoff – the former Ritchie Bus Company – has decided to shelve plans to rent the property to a truck sales and service company.Property owner Ed Flynn in November applied for permits to allow him to rent the property to Tri-State Freight Liner of Shrewsbury.Neighbors vehemently opposed the project, saying it would be too loud and alleging the permit would essentially be turning the property into an industrial use.Joubert said Tuesday that the owner decided not to go forward with Tri-State after listening to neighbor concerns. She said after the meeting that Flynn plans to work with neighbors on a possible different tenant or use.In other business, the ZBA was also asked to delay a hearing regarding permitting for an expansion of the Indian Meadows Golf course.That project is also opposed by neighbors, who say a driving range proposed at the course would be more detrimental than the existing facility and possibly against zoning code.Joubert said while the applicant, Steve Scott, didn’t give a reason for requesting a continuance, it appears there is another possible use for the site.Joubert said the town received a copy of a separate purchase and sales agreement between course owner Arthur Billingham and a different buyer a few weeks ago.According to a memo to the town from an attorney involved in the sale, the buyers "have stated their intention to operate the existing golf course on the premises."The memo did not say whether there would be any proposal to alter the course in any way.Joubert said the agreement was looked over by town attorneys and deemed to be technically deficient. She said it was sent back to Billingham for further review."There’s things happening that we’re not privy to," Joubert said, so the board will have to wait to see which proposal comes forward.Brad Petrishen can be reached at 508-490-7463 or bpetrishen@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @BPetrishen_MWDN.